Dear Seckinger High School Families,

Greetings as we enter the exciting new academic year of 2023-2024! We're looking forward to our second year as a school community, building on our first year's experiences to make this one even more special. Together, we can strengthen and expand The Seckinger Standard – our collective identity built on caring, inclusivity, future-ready learning experiences, and participation in and outside the classroom. All students will report in person on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 2.

Every student is provided with a GCPS Chromebook for daily use at school and digital learning at home. As a reminder, our network has moved away from the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model. GCPS Chromebooks will be distributed during the Open House on Thursday, July 27. This Chromebook will be your device for as long as you are a student at SKG. Please take care of it, bring it with you daily, and remember the charger! The device has essential school supplies, instructional resources, and textbooks. Parents will be held responsible for any loss or damage to these devices. We expect students to use these devices strictly for academic purposes, following the GCPS Acceptable Use Policy guidelines.

Creating strong relationships is a crucial aspect of our school's values. We want to encourage you and your family to connect with our teachers and staff as we kick off the new school year. To help facilitate this, we're hosting an Open House on Thursday, July 27, where you'll be able to gather all the information necessary for a seamless start to the school year. Our "flipped" Orientation includes a series of tasks to be completed before the Open House:

1. Review the Welcome Orientation Packet that you receive in the mail.
2. Review school processes and procedures by visiting MyPaymentsPlus at https://mypaymentsplus.com/ starting on Monday, July 17. Here, you will electronically sign the receipt of these documents, complete the free and reduced lunch application if needed, and make contributions that will directly impact your specific academic programs.
3. Access your class schedule and teacher assignments through the GCPS Student Portal (eCLASS) on Wednesday, July 26.
4. Learn about Teaching and Learning in our building by watching content-specific curriculum videos. Visit each teacher's eCLASS Course Page on Wednesday, July 26. Jot down any questions you have and bring them to the Open House to discuss with your teachers.
5. Review and update the Student Profile included in this packet and hand it to your first-period teacher at the Open House. If you need any updates, please make corrections directly on the Student Profile Sheet. Please verify all email addresses we have on record, as email is our primary mode of communication.

Our Open House will have extended hours to ensure that you and your family have ample time for a red-carpet photo op, self-guided school tours, Chromebook distribution, walking your schedule, meeting your teachers, transportation, and more. Please adhere to the following schedule based on last name. A-G is from 8:00 - 9:30. H-O is from 10:00 - 11:30. And, P-Z is from 12:00 - 1:30. Our Student Ambassadors will be there to welcome you at the door and provide instructions for your visit.

Lastly, communication plays a vital role in our school community. The Jaguar Bytes is the official newsletter for parents and students of SKG. We're excited to bring you all the latest updates and important information right to your email inbox every week. We encourage you and your family to read it together so you stay in the loop.

The traditions you, as the classes of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, build during your time here, will leave a legacy in our community. I'm thrilled to see what this year brings. Go Jags!

With warm regards,

Memorie Reesman

Principal

We are excited to announce that our school district has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.

ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:

• Weather-related closings & delays
• School and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Upcoming class activities

Beginning July 18, 2023, district and school information will be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).

To mark the beginning of our journey toward graduation, we will hold our first "Senior Sunrise" event the day before school starts. It will occur at our football field on August 1 from 6:15 AM - 7:30 AM. It’s time to SHINE, to set examples for the younger classes, to make the most of your final year, and to make lasting memories. Let's step into this year together, cheering each other on as we venture toward the finish line of high school!

To maximize instructional time and keep students focused on teaching and learning, cell phones are not permitted to be out during class time. We ask that all students keep their phones put away during each class period. Of course, there are exceptions for emergencies or medical reasons. Reinforcing the importance of this rule at home will help us maintain an environment focused on learning. Your cooperation in emphasizing the importance of keeping their cell phones stowed away during class time is greatly appreciated.

As a possible alternative to the bookbag, we've installed 12 - 15 cell phone lockers in each classroom. These are voluntary for students and/or their parents that would like the phone distraction removed from the learning environment.

If you'd like for your child to use a cell phone locker in one or more classes, please talk about this option with your child and/or reach out to their teacher by email.

Students may use cell phones to connect to family and friends during all class changes, before/after school, and at lunch.

We want to provide information on traffic patterns to our entire community early and often! The good news is that our campus has two entrances. Our school hours will be 7:10-2:10. Please help us spread the word. Attached is the traffic pattern for bus and vehicle entry/exit to campus. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we all learn to follow the traffic pattern to ensure safety and efficiency.

Buses will follow the red pattern and enter/exit at the traffic light.

All other vehicles will enter/exit from W Rock Quarry Road (back of campus near baseball/softball fields). Parent drop off/pick up will follow the blue pattern. Students may be dropped off at the lower attendance office entrance beginning at 6:20 AM and proceed to the Commons for supervision. The car rider line begins to back up at 6:50. Students may not exit cars in the parking lot. We encourage you to practice this traffic pattern beginning on July 17.

Student drivers will also enter/exit from W Rock Quarry Road (back of campus near baseball/softball fields). Student drivers will be provided a lot assignment at Open House. Each student who drives an automobile to school must register the vehicle by purchasing a parking permit. Parking permits cost $70.00 for the year. Parking will go on sale beginning July 17, through MyPaymentsPlus. Parking on campus is a privilege. Therefore, certain rules and regulations are expected of the student to maintain this privilege.

Walkers will use the sidewalks on Sardis Church Road and cross at the light. Walkers will leave campus through the side doors in the tower, cross at the gate at the top of our drive, and proceed to the traffic light.

Each student who drives an automobile to school must register the vehicle by purchasing a parking permit. Parking permits cost $70.00 for the year. Parking for the 2023-2024 school year is on sale now through MyPaymentsPlus. A parking application, a copy of a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance will be required to receive the parking decal at Open House on July 27. Parking on campus is a privilege. Therefore, certain rules and regulations are expected of the student to maintain this privilege. If you have any questions, please reach out to Assistant Principal Shanti Grund at shanti.grund@gcpsk12.org.

Be sure to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch application. Families need to apply every year. The online application for the 23-24 school year is available now, at www.gwinnett.schoollunchapp.com

One application per household - Be sure to list everyone that lives under the same roof. Eligibility is determined by the household size to income ratio. Once approved, eligibility is good for the entire school year. There is no reason to submit more than one application unless there is a change in household size or income.

The application doesn't just cover free or reduced lunch for your student but also may also qualify them to receive free SAT, ACT, and AP testing. As well as potential discounts on college application fees and certain utility bills.

K&K Insurance provides coverage for Student Accident Insurance if needed. For more information please visit K&K's website at www.studentinsurance-KK.com.

SKG PTSA is excited to kick off our 2nd year! We had 82 PTSA members for our inaugural year. We would LOVE to double that number this year. Please join PTSA today. Membership dues are only $10. Sign your student up, too! We are working on student incentives, and scholarship opportunities are available for SKG PTSA Seniors.

Seckinger High school is looking for substitute teachers for the upcoming school year. At Seckinger we value everyone who walks through the doors of our school and would love to be able to support you as a substitute teacher. As a sub at SKG we will provide you with detailed lesson plans, maps of the school, seating charts, and other helpful information and support. Information regarding perks and compensation can be found on the district website. https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/24537

If you are interested in being placed on the preferred substitute list at Seckinger High School, please complete the form using the following link: https://forms.gle/uyMKqWhnTPdhYxJF9

GCPL App: Did you know that you can check out up to 75 books for free at the Gwinnett County Public and that you are exempt from late fees through our Branch Out Program? You can download the Gwinnett County Public Library app and seach for books to put them on hold for pick up at your location. You can login using your student number as your barcode and your password is the month and day of your birthday (MMDD).

LIBBY App: Read books for free on your devices using the Libby, the Gwinnett County Public Library App with free ebooks and audiobooks. Click here for Libby direction.

Seniors! Booking for your senior photo has begun! To make things extra easy for the class of 2024, CADY has created a step-by-step senior booking guide. Please see the attachment below. The last day to be photographed for the 2023-2024 yearbook is Thursday, November 2, 2023.

Please note: Some scenes and session types are available in-studio only and will not be available when CADY is at SKG. If a senior is booking a session at SKG, they will need to book a SIMPLE or STANDARD session. For seniors with any additional questions, our customer experience team can be contacted at 678.722.3449.

Please have a look at the following document for detailed information about Seckinger Athletics. It contains crucial details about the athletic calendar, spirit wear, and available sponsorship packages.

• Only Seckinger HS students and opposing HS students will be permitted in games without a parent. High School IDs will be checked.
  
• Students must leave school on game day and can return thirty minutes before the start.
  
• All games are available for purchase online. Visit the GoFan website here: https://gofan.co/
  
• All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at all sporting events.
• Please click here to access the head coach's directory and email the coach for more information.

See attached for a list of clubs and when they meet. E-mail the club sponsor listed for more information. https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/14382

To support your child’s individual needs and interests, we offer multiple ways to connect with your family to address questions.

• Phones – Our main line is 678-288-0800.
• Email – You may email Administration with your child’s name, questions, and a preferred method of contact, email or phone. Administration Directory
• SKG Student Handbook - Check out the Student Handbook for useful information to help you navigate Seckinger HS.
• SKG Student Calendar - Follow our SKG Student Calendar to keep up with all events at Seckinger.
• Social Media - Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. See details below.